Free online course from Trinity College Dublin aims to improve health assessments for people with an intellectual disability

Free online course from Trinity College Dublin aims to improve health assessments for people with an intellectual disability

The Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin is launching a new Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) geared to healthcare professionals, care providers and others who work with people with an intellectual disability. This MOOC is partially-funded by the European Institute of Technology through their Health Knowledge and Innovation Community (EIT Health) which was established in 2008 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe.

For the first time in history, people with an intellectual disability are living well into old age. This success story is a result of improved health care, better living conditions, access to education, and community supports. Despite this success, the life expectancy of a person with an intellectual disability is nearly 20 years less than their non-disabled peers. For decades, health and health care inequalities among people with an intellectual disability have been an issue, due to inaccessible healthcare information and service provision. These challenges can increase exclusion from preventative screenings, delay regular health assessments, impact on quality of life, and further marginalise people with an intellectual disability.

Trinity’s free three-week online course will explore how to improve health assessments for people with an intellectual disability. Learners will explore best practice techniques for communication, assessment, and developing accessible materials for people with an intellectual disability. It is open for registration on the FutureLearn platform and starts on the 15th of January 2018. The lead educator is Dr Eilish Burke, Ussher Assistant Professor in Ageing and Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin and the Associate Director of the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability.

“My goal in creating this course,” said Dr Burke, “is to share techniques that all allied healthcare professionals can adapt to their clinical practise, enriching their skills and improving engagement with all patients, ultimately empowering individuals with an intellectual disability to be partners in health.”

To register for Trinity’s free online course, starting on the 15th of January 2018, please visit: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/health-assessment/

What are Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)?

MOOCs are a free online learning experience. Thousands of learners from all over the world come together to explore educational resources delivered by Trinity's leading academics. Educational resources include videos, links, articles, simulations, reflections and discussion forums. There is a focus on social learning where learners learn by communicating with one another in discussion forums. Trinity College has welcomed over 110,000 registered learners, from over 100 countries, to their five MOOCs since 2014.